Chad White
Loves: The first Pitch Perfect, the cast, Kay Cannon
Likes: Some of DJ Khaled’s songs
Dislikes: Bad Kay Cannon projects, Pitch Perfect 2
Hates: No cameos?!
I am really a very simple person.
Never since The Hangover 3 has a third movie in a declining franchise ever had to be made. And much like that movie, it serves as a low point for the franchise. There are no memorable moments and any such attempt halts all form of progression about a group of girls focused on the past rather than the future. In short, Pitch Perfect 3 is an abomination of sorts with less than a tenth of the personality the original film managed to display.
This time out, the Barton Bellas are all living separate lives in New York, each trying to regain a part of what they lost when they graduated. The only ones that keep in touch are roommates Beca (Anna Kendrick), Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) and Chloe (Brittany Snow). Beca quits her job as music producer when she finds her clientele less than ideal. This and other setbacks in their lives only make the girls want to get back together that much more. They do and manage to land on a USO Tour courtesy of Aubrey’s (Anna Camp) dad.
One of the main issues with the film resides in its storytelling. Franchise creator Kay Cannon is joined by Mike White this time out and nothing pays off for them. While it’s admirable to give each character their own story, development and so forth, it’s also worth noting how hard that can be for a dozen of them. At any given moment the camera could focus on Aubrey and Fat Amy’s daddy issues while shoehorning in three (!) separate romances. That’s right; THREE. If the 93-minute runtime didn’t cause concern before, it should now. Also, fans of DJ Khaled will be delighted to see he plays a role - too big of a role - in the movie. This entire charade is steeped in pop culture from 2010.
As for callbacks and references, Pitch Perfect 3 performs well. Cannon and White’s script does right by the original and its sequel with shots at the Bellas losing of riff offs they instigate or how Hailee Steinfeld’s Emily is a constant source of verbal assault from Wilson’s Fat Amy. On the subject of riff offs, the other bands introduced via the USO Tour only play a part for what feels like less than half the movie. In a scene that is as enjoyable as you can make it, three bands take on the Bellas and it’s admittedly fun to watch. One band is considered an antagonist and subsequently dropped after one concert.
Director Trish Sie’s eye for cinema is not as defined as previous series director Elizabeth Banks. This is Sie’s first big leap into this level of film and she shows her hand more often than she should. Tons of static shots with nothing going on don’t help get jokes across. Even though the gang is on a world tour, nothing feels as big as even the second movie. Sound stages and green screen can be picked out as soon as they appear on screen (anything on John Lithgow’s boat is disgustingly amateurish). It’s a shame.
Should you watch Pitch Perfect 3?
Why does this movie exist? And since it exists, why is it so poorly made? Pitch Perfect 3 is a disappointment from start to finish.
Notes:
- I was the only male in a Friday showing at 9 AM. Walking to my seat was worse than walking the green mile.
- 20 minutes in, I began clocking laughs. It was easy to count because there were almost none.
- The ragging on Jessica (Kelly Jakle) and Ashley (Shelley Regner) was increased by 1,000%. That was my favorite part. I’m a sucker for random, unbridled hate.
- Rebel Wilson was the only one firing on all cylinders. She deserves better.
- Elizabeth Banks and John Michael Higgins reprise their roles as Gail and John, the acapella competition commenters. Apparently they’ve been making a documentary about the Bellas. How long has that been going on? Leave those women alone!
- Fat Amy’s rich which brings me to believe this movie is part of the How To Be Single universe. Both take place in New York; both star Rebel; and both have her being obscenely rich. And I’m all for it.
- There weren’t ANY cameos this time out. Did Khaled take up the entire budget? If so, bad move.